Kühbauer Calls for Balanced LASK Display Against Celtic

Didi Kühbauer has acknowledged the scale of the task facing LASK in their Champions League play-off against Celtic, describing the Scottish champions as favourites for the tie.

Speaking ahead of the two-legged qualifier, Krone reported that the LASK coach pointed to Celtic’s tradition and their place, alongside Rangers, in shaping Scottish football over decades. He also cited Celtic’s title win last season as a reason they start as favourites.

Kühbauer said LASK would need strong performances in both matches to make the most of their opportunity. He said the club was looking forward to the challenge and intended to do everything possible in the tie.

Fixture Details

The Champions League play-off is a two-legged contest. The first leg is scheduled for Celtic Park on August 18-19, 2026, with the return at the Oberösterreich Arena in Linz on August 25-26. The tie is a decisive showdown for a place in the Champions League group stage.

Celtic and LASK previously met in a 2014 friendly, which Celtic won 5-2.

LASK’s Recent Form

Celtic Way reported that LASK entered the tie after a 4-1 derby win over local rivals SV Ried, their seventh consecutive Austrian Bundesliga victory.

The same report said Kühbauer viewed Celtic as a stronger opponent than Ried and said LASK would need fit players who could give their all from the opening minute in Glasgow. It also reported that he did not regard a purely defensive approach as the best way to face Celtic and called for a balanced performance.